Ferdinand banned for speeding

Manchester United and England footballer Rio Ferdinand was banned from driving in his absence today after a court heard he was clocked travelling at more than 105mph on a motorway.

Magistrates in Newcastle-under-Lyme, Staffordshire, disqualified the 26-year-old footballer from driving for 28 days and fined him £1,500.

Chairman of the bench Ashley Howells criticised Ferdinand - who is currently in Africa undertaking charity work - for failing to provide a positive role model for young people.

Ferdinand, who appeared on the court list under his full name Rio Gavin Ferdinand, was also ordered to pay £35 in prosecution costs.

Sentencing the £30 million star, who lives in Alderley Edge, Cheshire, Mr Howells said: "I must first preface the sentence with comments about the actual offence.

"This court views speeding on local highways most seriously, particularly when the speed is more than 100mph, and our view is that Mr Ferdinand must be disqualified."

The magistrate went on: "He is a role model and should be a positive role model for young people in society and this does not give out the right message."

Earlier, prosecutor Sandie Laughlin told the court that Ferdinand's high-powered Chrysler was tracked by police travelling at an average of 105.9mph over a distance of 1.8 miles on the M6 in Staffordshire on January 9.

A hearing in Stafford earlier this month was told that officers noticed the Chrysler approaching them from the rear and moved aside to let Ferdinand overtake them.

Today's driving ban is Ferdinand's fourth, following convictions for drink-driving in 1997 and speeding in 2002 and 2003.